Boiler feed water regulator



Feb. 16, 1937. A. OFFUTT 2,070,617

BOILER FEED WATER REGULATOR Filed Nov. 5. 1935 Andersen @Zzafi;

Guam;

Patented Feb. 16, 1931 2,070,617,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,070,617 I nomna Fnnn warm REGULATOR Anderson one, United States Navy Application November 5, 1935, Serial no. 48,341

12 Claims. (01. 131-101) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, II

amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) This invention relates to boiler feed water reg- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a boiler waulators and it has particular relation to mechater teed regulator constructed in accordance with nism for controlling the supply of water to ship's the invention; and boilers I Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on One of the objects of the present invention is line 2-2 of Fig. 1. 5 the provision of simple and improvedmeans for Referring to the drawing, the invention is controlling the fiow'of water through the feed shown as comprising a boiler B equipped with pipe in accordance with the level of the water in the usual water gage glass G- provided with an the gage glass. opaque float f and supplied with water through Another object 01' the invention is the provia teed pipe P having a valve V therein. The 10 sion of a regulator of the character described valve V is provided with a downwardly extendembodying means for not only interrupting the ing stem 'or rod l0 which is pivotally connected supply 01' water tb the boiler when it reaches to a lever ll intermediate its ends and is norr a first predetermined or operating level 'but mally maintained in the open position shown by which, in the event that the pitching of the ves-- "means of a weight W. The lever Ii is pivotally 15 sel in rough weather permits the supply to be mounted at one end upon a bracket l2 carried resumed and reach a higher and dangerous level, by the pipe P, and its other end is pivotally conwill function to cut oil the supply at such higher nected with the lower end of an armature l3 level and maintain the supply interrupted until which extends upwardly through the coil M of a the level recedes to the "operating level. solenoid S. 20

' Still another object of the invention is the pro- This solenoid is at times energized, to close vision of a regulator embodying light-sensitive the valveV, by means of electric current from means including a source vpf light which may a suitable source, such as a generator 0, which quickly and easily be mounted on opposite sides is connected to either of two parallel circuits.

of a water gage glass containing an opaque methe first of said circuits comprising wires l5 condium, such as a float or the like, for interrupting nected with the terminals of the coil l4 and terthe' light beam at a predetermined level and I .minating incontacts l8 of a first relay T and which may be contained within a suitable housthe second or said circuits comprising wires i1 ing for convenient attachment and removal. terminating in contacts l8 of a relay 1".

A further object of the invention is the pro- The relay 1' includes a normally energized vision 1a regulator embodying means for inelectro-magnet l9 and includes two pivotally terrupting the flow of water to a boiler when it mounted armatures 20 and 2|, which are proreaches a predetermined maximum level and vided with contact pieces 22 and respectively, maintaining the same cut oil until the waterreand which are mechanically connected-to move cedes to a predetermined minimum or preferred in unison in a preferred manner. The armaoperating level. tures 20 and 2 are normally held in the posi- With these and other objects in view, as well tion shown in full lines by the attraction of the as other advantages which may be incident to electro-magnet is, although resiliently urged tothe use of the improvements, the invention conward the contacts It by a coil spring 24 toward sists of the parts and combinations thereof herethe position indicated by dotted lines so as to 49 inafter set igth and claimed, with the under-. close the contacts l6 and 36. standing that the several necessary elements The relay 1' also includes a normally enerconstituting the same may be varied in proporgized electro-magnt 25 and a single pivotally, tion and arrangement without departing from mounted armature 28 provided with a contact 5 the nature and scope of the invention, as de- I element 21 for engagement with the fixed con- 5 fined in the appended claims. tacts 18. This armature isnormally held in the In order to make the invention more clearly position shown, by the attractionoi' the electrounderstood, there are shown in the accompanymagnet 25 but is yieldably biased toward the ing drawing means for carrying the invention position indicated by dotted lines so as to close into practical efiect, without limiting the imthe contacts I8-l8, by means 01' a coil spring 28. 50

' provements in their useful application to the The relay r is energized by electric current particular construction," which, for purposes of generated by a photo-electric cell 0 upon which explanation, have beenmade the subject oi! illusa beam oi. light is projected through the gage tration. glass G from a lamp L both located at an oper- In the accompanying drawing: v ating-level. This current may be increased in 55 value by a suitable amplifier A inserted in the circuit. The photo-electric cell 0 and the lamp L are preferably contained in a housing 29 of U-shape which embraces the gage glass G and is removably held in position in any suitable manner. The housing 28 is provided with two aligned openings 30 and 3| so that light emanat ing from the lamp L will be collected into a pencil-like beam and projected directly upon the light sensitive elements of the cell C The in-' terior of the portion of the housing 29 containing the lamp L is provided with a bright light reflecting surface so as to intensify the brilliance of the beam projected by the lamp L The relay 1 is energized by electric current generated by a photo-electric cell C upon which a beam of light is projected through the gage glass G froma second lamp L both of which are located at a level higher than that of the lamp L and photo-electric cell C and at what may be termed the maximum operating level. The current generated by the photo-electric cell C may also be increased in value by a suitable ampliiying device A inserted in its circuit. The

photo-electric cell C and its associated lamp L are also preferably contained in a housing 32 of U-shape which'embraces the gageglass G and is removably held in position in any preferred manner. Thehousing 32 is provided with'two aligned openings 33 and 34 so-as to direct ,a concentrated light beam upon the light sensitive element of the photo-electric cell C and the interior of the housing containing the lamp L also provided with a bright light reflecting surface. I

When the relay is deenergized, in a manner presently to be described, and the armature 28 isphoto-electric cell C is rendered inactive, thereby deenergizing the relay r and permitting the spring 24 to close the contacts lG-IB. This will establish a circuit from the generator g through the wires -l5 and coil l4 so as to energize the solenoid S, thus causing the armature 13 to be retracted the same and closing the valve so as to interrupt the supply of water to the boiler. As soon, however, as the level of the water in the gage glass G falls to a-point where it no longer obstructs the beam of light, the photo-electric cell C immediately becomes active and reenergizes 'the relay 1 thus opening the contacts l6-l6 against the action of the spring 24, and deenergiz'ing the solenoid S, and permitting the valve V to open under the action of the weight W.

Letit now'be assumed that in rough weather the pitching or rolling of the vessel causes the water in the boiler to surge to such an extent that the level '0! the water in the gage glass G and the float i will fluctuate between levels above that. of the light beam projected by the lamp L notwithstanding the fact that the boiler contains a quantity of water which would be indicated at'the normal operating level if it were quiescent. This fluctuation of the float f above As soon as the armature 2G is thus retracted it is engaged by a pivoted latch'member 35 so as to hold the contacts l8-l8 closed, the solenoid S energized, and the valve V closed until the level of the water in the boiler l3 and gage glass G recedes to a point where the float I again intercepts the light beam projected by the lamp L This will again cause the deenergization of the relay r and permit the spring 24 to swing the armatures 20 and 2| to positions in which they respectively close-the contacts 5-46 and also a pair of-contacts 3636. The closing of these latter contacts establishes a circuit from a bat tery b and through wires 31 and winding of an electro-magnet 38.- The electro-magnet 38 will immediately retract the latch member 35 from looking engagement with the armature 26, so

.as to permit the relay'r which is now energized,

to attract the armature 26 back to its normal position and open the contacts I 8l 8 in the auxiliary circuit. However, inasmuch as the contacts l6l6 are still closed, the valve V is maintained closed notwithstanding the opening of the auxiliary circuit, and will remain so closed until the float 1 falls below the beam of light projected by the lamp L When this occurs the parts will assume the positions first described, so as to permit the hereinabove cycle of operations to' be repeated.

It will be understood that means other than the opaque float 1 may be employed to intercept the light beam projected by the several lamps L.

For example, an opaque fluid of low specific gravity may be contained in the gage glass G, or a float operated shutter may be employed-for the intended purpose with the same result.

Other modifications and changes in proportion and arrangement of the parts may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from" the nature and scope of'the invention, as defined in the appended claims. The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by orforthe Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a feed pipe for supplying water to a boiler; a gage glass for indicating the level of the water in said boiler; a valve for controlling the flow of water through said'feed pipe; electro-magnetic means for closing said valve; a normally open electric circuit .for energizing said. electro-magnetic any royalties v means: a'flrst relayfor controlling said circuit:

light sensitive means located on one side of said gage glass at a predetermined level for normally maintaining said relay open; a source of light located on the otherside of said gage glass for directlng a beam of said light through said gage 7 glass onto said light sensitive means; a second normally open electric circuit including said first mentioned circuit and by-passing said first mentioned relay for also energizing said electro-magnetic means; a second relay for controlling said second circuit; asecond light sensitive means located on one side of said gage glass at a higher predetermined level than said first mentioned light sensitive means for normally maintaining said second mentioned relay open; a second source of light located on the other side 01' gage glass for directing a beam 01 said light through said gage glass onto said second mentioned light sensitive means; opaque means responsive to the level 01 the water in said gage glass for successively interrupting said light beams; to successively close said relays and the circuits controlled thereby and thus to energize said electro-magnetic means and close said valve as the level of the water in said boiler ascends to said first predetermined level andjthencelto said second predetermined level; latch mechanism for maintaining said second mentioned relay and the circuit controlled thereby closed until said opaque means and the water in said boiler descends to said first predetermined level; a second electro-magnetic means for controlling said latch mechanism, and an auxiliary electric circuit controlled by said first mentioned relay for energizing said second electro-magnetic means to release said latch mechanism when said opaque means and the water in the boiler recedes to said first predetermined level.

2. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a feed pipe for supplying water to a boiler; a gage glass for indicating the level of the water in said boiler; a valve for controlling the fiowof water through said feed pipe; electro-magnetic means for closing said valve; a normally open, electric circuit for energizing said electro-magnetic means; a first relay for controlling said circuit; light sensitive means located on one side of said gage glass at a predetermined level for normally maintaining said relay open; a source of light located on the other side of said gage glass for directing a beam of said light through said gage glass onto said light sensitive means,- a second normally open electric circuit including said first mentioned circuit and by-passing said first mentioned relay for also energizing said electro-Inagnetic means; a second relay for controlling said second circuit; a second light sensitive means located on one side of said gage glass at a higher predetermined level than said first mentioned light sensitive means for normally maintaining said second mentioned relay' open; a second source of light located on the other side of said gage glass for directinga beam of said light through said gage glass onto said second mentioned light sensitive means; opaque means responsive to the level of the water in said gage glass for successively interrupting said light beams to successively close said relays and the circuits controlled thereby and thus to energize said electro-magnetic means and close said valve as the level of the water in said boiler'ascends to said first predetermined level and thence to said second predetermined level; latch mechanism for maintaining said second mentioned relay and the circuit controlled thereby closed until said opaque means and the water in said boiler "descends to said first predetermined level; and a .water in said boiler reaches said first predetermined level.

3. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a feed pipe for supplying water to a boiler; a gage glass for indicating the level of the water in said boiler; a valve for controlling the flow of water through said feed pipe; electro-magnetic means for closing said valve; a normally open electric circuit for energizing said electro-magnetic means; a first relay for controlling said circuit; light sensitive means located on one side of said gage glass at a predetermined level for normally maintaining said relay open; a source of light located on the other side of said gage glass for directing a beam of said light through said gage .glass onto said light sensitive means, a second normally open electric circuit including said first mentioned circuit and by-passing said first mentioned relay for also energizing. said electro-magnetic means; a second relay for controlling said second circuit; a second light sensitive means located on one side of said gage glass at a higher predetermined level than said first mentioned light sensitive means for normally maintaining .said second mentioned relay open; a second source of light located on the other side of said gage glass for directing a beam of said light through said gage glass onto said second mentioned light sensitive means; opaque means responsive to the level of the water in said gage glass for successively interrupting said light beams to successively close said relays and the circuits controlled thereby and thus to energize said electro-magnetic means and close said valve as the level of the 'water in said boiler ascends to said first predetermined level and thence to said second predetermined level; latch mechanism for maintaining said second mentioned relay and the circuit controlled thereby closed until said opaquemeans and the water in said boiler descends to said first predetermined level; and a second electro-magnetic means for releasing said latch mechanism when said opaque means and thewater in said boiler reaches said first predetermined level.

4. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a feed pipe for supplying water to a boiler; a gage glass for indicating the level of the water in said boiler; a valve for controlling the flow of water through said feed pipe; electro-magnetic means for closing said valve; a normally open. electric circuit for energizing said electro-magnetic means; a first relay for controlling said circuit; light sensitive means located on one side of said gage glass at a predetermined level for normally maintaining said relay open; a source of light located on the other side of said gage glass for directing a beamof said light through said gage glass onto said light sensitive means; a second normally open electric circuit including said first second circuit; a second light sensitive means lo cated on one side of said gage glass at a higher predetermined level than said first mentioned light sensitive means for normally maintaining said second mentioned relay open; a second source of light located on the other side of said gage glass for directing a beam of said light through said gage glass onto said' second mentioned light sensitive means; opaque means responsive to the level or the water in said gage glass for successively interrupting said light beams to successively close said relays and the circuits controlled thereby and thus toenergize said electro-magnetic means and close said valve as the level of the 'water in said boiler ascends to said means and the water in said boiler descends to said first predetermined level., 5. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a feed pipe for supplying water to a boiler; a gage glass for indicating the level of the water in said boiler; a valve for controlling the fiow of water through said feed pipe; electro-magnetic means for closing said valve; a normally open electric circuit for energizing said electro-magnetic means; a first relay for controlling said circuit; light sensitive means located on one side of said gage glass at a predetermined level for normally maintaining said relay open; a source oi light located on the other side of said gage glass for directing a beam of said light through said gage glass onto said light sensitive means; a second normally open electric circuit including said first mentioned circuit and by-passing said first mentioned relay for also energizing said electromagnetic means; a second relay for controlling said second circuit; a second light sensitive means located on one side of said gage glass at a higher predetermined level than said first mentioned light sensitive means for normally maintaining said second mentioned relay open; a second source of light located on the other side of said gage glass for directing a beam of said light through said gage glass onto said second mentioned light sensitive means; opaque means responsive to the level of the water in said gage glass for successively interrupting said light beams to successively close said relays and the circuits controlled thereby and thus to energize said electro-magnetic means and close said valve as the level of the water in said boiler ascends to said first pre- 40 determined level and thence to saidsecond predetermined level; and means for maintaining said second mentioned relay and the circuit controlled thereby closed until said opaque means and the water in said boiler descends to said firs 45 predetermined level.

6. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a feed pipe for supplying water to a boiler; a gage glass for indicating the level of the water in said boiler; a valve.for control1ing the flow of water 50 through said feed pipe; electro-magnetic means for closing said valve; a normally open electric circuit for energizing saidelectro-magnetic means; a first relay for controlling said circuit;

light sensitive means located on one side of glass at a higher predetermined level than said first mentioned light sensitive means for normally maintaining said second mentioned relay open; a second source of light located on the other 10 side of' said gage glass; means for directing a beam of said light through said gage glass onto said second mentioned light sensitive means; and 1 opaque means in said gage glass for successively interrupting said light beams to successively close 15 said relays and circuits controlled thereby and soccer? thus to energize said electro-magnetic means and close said valve as the level of the water in said. boiler raises to said first predetermined level and thence to said second predetermined level.

7. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a feed pipe for supplying water to a boiler; a gage glass for indicating the level of the water in said boiler; a valve for controlling the flow oi water through said feed pipe; electro-magnetic -means for closing said valve; an electric circuit for energizing said electro-magnetic means; a

first relay for-controlling said circuit; light sensitive means located-on one side of said gage gage glass at a higher predetermined level than said first mentioned light sensitive means for controlling said second mentioned relay; a second source of light located on the other side of said gage glass; means for directing a beam of said light through said gage glass onto said second mentioned light sensitive means; and opaque means in said gage glass for successively controlling said first and second mentioned light sensitive means to successively close said valve as the level of the water in said boiler raises to said first predetermined level and thence to saidsecond predetermined level.

8. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a feed pipe for supplying water to a boiler; a gage glass for indicating the level of the water in said boiler; a valve for controlling the flow of water through said feed pipe means for controlling said valve; light sensitive means located on one side of said gage glass at a predetermined level for actuating said valve controlling means; a source of light located on the other side of said gage glass; and means for directing a beam of said light through said gage glass onto said light sensitive means; a second light sensitive means located on one side of said gage glass and at a higher predetermined level than said first mentioned light sensitive means for actuating said valve controlling means independently of said I first mentioned light sensitive. means; a second source of light located on the other side of said gage glass; means for directing a beam of said light through said gage glass onto said second mentioned light sensitive means; and a float in said gage glass for-successively interrupting said light beams to successively close said valve as the level of the water in said boiler raises to said first predetermined level and thence to saidxsecond predetermined level,

9. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a feed pipe for supplying. water to a boiler; a gage glass for indicating the level of the water in said boiler; a valve for controlling the flow of water through said i'eed pipe; means for controlling said valve; light sensitive means located on one side of said gage glass at a predetermined level ior actuating said valve.controlling means; a source or light located on the other side of said gage glass; and means for directing a beam of said light through said gage glass onto said light sensitive means; 'a second light sensitive meanslocated on one side of aid gage glass and at a higher predetermined level than said first men tioned light sensitive-means for actuating said valve controlling means independently of said first mentioned light sensitive means; a second source of light located on the other side of said gage glass; means for directing a beam of said light through said gage glass onto said second mentioned light sensitive means; and opaque means in said gage glass for successively interrupting said light beams to successively close said valve as the level of the water in said boiler rises to said first predetermined level and thence to said second predetermined level.

10. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a feed pipe for supplying water to a boiler; means for indicating the level of the water in said boiler; a valve for controlling the flow of water through said feed pipe; means for controlling said valve; light sensitive means located at a predetermined level for actuating said valve controlling means; a source of light for activating said light sensitive means; a second light sensitive means located at a higher predetermined level than said first mentioned light sensitive means for actuating said valve controlling means independently of said first mentioned light sensitive means; a second source of light for. activating said second mentioned light sensitive means; and means responsive to said level indicating means for successively interrupting said light beams to suecessively close said valve as the level of the water in said boiler rises to said first predetermined level and-thence to said second predetermined level.

11. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a feed pipe for supplying water to a boiler; means for indicating the level of the water in said boiler; a valve for controlling the flow of water through said feed pipe; means including a light sensitive cell located at a first predetermined level for closing said valve and means including a second light sensitive cell located at a second predetermined level higher than said first mentioned level for closing said valve. independently of said first mentioned valve closing means.

12. A boiler feed water regulatorcomprising a feed pipe for supplying water to a boiler; means for indicating the level of the water in said boiler; a valve for controlling the flow of water through said feed pipe; and means including two light sensitive cells each located at different levels and controlled by said level indicating means for successively and independently closing said valve.

ANDERSON OFFUI'I. 

